Influence: Please explain your work with the Assemblies of God MAPS Program.
Linda Maracle: My husband, David, and I represent the MAPS Department in the Northeast Region of the U.S. We recruit people for the ministry of MAPS, which stands for Missions America Placement Service. The mission of MAPS is to coordinate volunteers to assist churches and ministry institutions with construction and evangelism projects.

I contact churches to schedule visits for a five to 10-minute window where we show a video and speak about what MAPS is and how people can get involved. Second, we travel throughout our region visiting prospective churches that want to use RV volunteers or construction teams to either build a new church or renovate an existing one. We complete projects during the winter months in the south.

What is the most effective way for church and lay leaders to work together to multiply the Kingdom?
This past April, I received my ordination with the Assemblies of God. Up to that time, I was a lay leader. I noticed when a church leader would reach out for help from MAPS that it gave the church body such a boost in morale and excitement when the teams arrived. That in turn gives people from the congregation a desire to volunteer and help in areas they may never have considered before.

There is a force of people who happen to be of retirement age who are eager to work even though they may have health issues and limited financial resources.

When serving on a project, MAPS volunteers join in with the congregation and help in any way needed, from constructing the church building to running baby showers, or assisting in the offices. There is no end to what can be done.

What has working with MAPS shown you about retirees’ commitment to ministry?
There is a force of people who happen to be of retirement age who are eager to work even though they may have health issues and limited financial resources. Their commitment to further the Kingdom by whatever means is astounding.

These people are former district superintendents or ministers, contractors, blue-collar workers, teachers, etc., all who are retired. They get up in the morning and are on the job site by 7 or 7:30, and work until 3 or 4 p.m. They do this in spite of aches or stiffness, not letting their health issues deter them.

What are some ways any retired person can continue to Kingdom build?
Like anyone, retirees can be active as much or as little as they choose. There are Sunday School classes for all ages; seniors can help by teaching, providing refreshments or cleaning up. One of the things I did was learn to run the sound system so I could step in for funerals or special weekday events when others need to be at work.

In every community, there are groups of boys and girls [who] need someone to simply love on them and tell them about Jesus. I have seen people who are in their early 80s [who] want to volunteer, to be given a chance. The people I work and serve with are devoted to further the Kingdom.